US Hits PA with New Sanctions: What You Need to Know Now
State Department cites national security interests in denying visas, targeting incitement and terror funding
The U.S. State Department announced Thursday it will impose sanctions on members of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), accusing them of undermining peace efforts and violating key commitments under U.S. law.
The sanctions, which include visa bans, are being framed as part of a broader American national security strategy. In a statement to Congress, the State Department declared that the PA and PLO have failed to uphold their obligations under the Middle East Peace Commitments Act - particularly through actions in international forums that contradict peace efforts.
“These groups continue to support terrorism, incite violence, and glorify attacks - especially in their educational materials - while financially rewarding Palestinian terrorists and their families,” the statement read.
The U.S. clarified that this punitive step is designed to enforce accountability. “It is in our national security interest to impose consequences and demand that the PLO and the Palestinian Authority be held accountable for their ongoing violations and obstruction of peace,” the statement added.
This move comes amid a broader international debate over recognition of a Palestinian state. While countries such as France and the UK move toward recognizing the PA as the governing authority of a "State of Palestine," the U.S. has made clear it does not consider the PA a legitimate partner for peace at this time.
Earlier in the day, President Donald Trump addressed the humanitarian situation in Gaza in a brief post, again blaming Hamas and writing, “THE FASTEST WAY TO END THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IS FOR HAMAS TO SURRENDER AND RELEASE THE HOSTAGES!!!”
While major Western powers have recently announced their intention to recognize the Palestinian Authority as the governing body of a future “State of Palestine,” the United States clarified that it does not view the PA as a legitimate partner for peace.
The move is seen as a counter-response to countries like France and the UK, which have moved to grant state-like recognition to a regime that supports terrorism and jihad.
